Crossrail today unveiled plans for a new £130 million station on the south-east section of the rail link in Kent.

Rail chiefs submitted planning proposals for the two-level terminus to be opened in 2017 at Abbey Wood at the end of the south-east spur.

Balfour Beatty won the contract to build the station and the tracks between Abbey Wood and the tunnel at Plumstead. The station will be built above two new dedicated Crossrail tracks and those used by North Kent services.

The Crossrail link will slash travel times from Kent, with journeys from Abbey Wood to Canary Wharf and Bond Street taking 11 minutes and 25 minutes respectively. It will take 51 minutes to reach Heathrow, a saving of 42 minutes. Crossrail is due to open in 2018.